Page 59 of Of Vows and War: Special Edition
“Wow,” I whispered as the crew worked to anchor the ship and prepare the small boat that we would row to shore. A large group of fae awaited us, the dock clear but the beach full. A chill crawled up my spine, nails digging into my bones and the monster itself roaring that something was not right about this.
“Tell me, wife, do you feel as unsettled as I do?” Sterling asked as he approached my side. The two of us gripped the rail, watching with the same focus and trepidation.
“Yes, yes I do.”
“Oh good, at least I am not losing my mind,” he remarked.
“That makes one of us.”
Minutes later, they had the four of us in the boat and nearing the dock. Mia stared forward, her icy eyes scanning the waiting crowd. Xavier had his hand gripped on the pommel of his golden sword. The two of them must have felt what we did.
Golden guards appeared out of what seemed like nowhere, filing their way onto the dock. I raised a brow at Xavier, but he just waved a hand of dismissal.
Ah, so we would pretend that having what looked like a small army randomly show up on one of the isles was normal. Okay then.
“Stay close to me. Something is not right. Worse than the other two isles,” I whispered to Sterling, recalling the way Perdita had asked if I was on their side. Though I struggled to remain there, I was. Sterling was just as innocent as any of them. He needed to live. If only to brighten the world that seemed to grow darker by the day.
With a nod, he reached forward and grabbed my hand, forcing my fingers to part so he could interlace his with mine. I did not protest, too focused on the line of guards as what must have been a warden offered us a broad smile and a hand up.
Xavier went first, patting the male on the back when he was on his feet. Then went Mia, who seemed less inclined to share pleasantries with the male. I was next, and I also refrained from touching him more than necessary or even speaking to him.
I did, however, search their minds.
And what I was met with was vile hatred and the desire for violence.
They were there to kill us.
Yet, as I grabbed Sterling’s hand and pulled him behind me, no one attacked. They simply stared as we passed and headed for our carriage.
That, and they plotted in what ways they might end us all.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Asher
We had traveled through Isle Element with little bumps. Here and there, we were met with hostility, but no outright attacks and not a single rebel symbol spotted. The Water, Earth, Air, and Fire Lands were stunning. This isle seemed to be the most diverse landscape wise. We had seen beaches, rivers, forests, mountains, deserts and valleys. Greenery was in abundance and the sky was clear. But the isle itself made me think of Bellamy, and that hurt more than it soothed.
Xavier was enjoying himself more than he had on Isle Shifter and Isle Healer. No matter what, this was his home. Where hecame from. Maybe he had been a better male before he left the Fire Lands that we were currently within.
At the table sat all four wardens, each of them smiling broadly and warmly. They had welcomed us with open arms. As if they were glad we were there. But in their minds festered a level of hatred that made goosebumps rise upon my skin.
Around us, servants held ceramic plates, ready to offer us the first course. My eyes saw pride upon their faces, but my ears caught the sound of clinking from the way they shook in fear. They knew something was about to happen, and it terrified them.
“Why are the four of you so afraid right now?” I asked the wardens. The four of them each wore a color that represented their power. Warden Carmella wore red for fire, Warden Zaden wore blue for water, Warden Titan wore green for Earth, and Warden Ivy wore white for Air.
To my right, Warden Titan cleared his throat. “We are in the presence of royalty, Your Highness. That alone would make lesser fae break.”
Nodding and pretending that such a thing made sense was easy. Warden Titan began shoveling food into his mouth the second his plate touched the wooden table, not looking anywhere but down. Warden Ivy squinted at her own food, sniffing it. In his mind, Sterling seemed to assess his own. He began going through a mental list of…oh.
Excellent.
“Do any of you know of my husband’s history?” All four sets of eyes flicked my way, darting momentarily to Sterling before returning to me and remaining there. None of them spoke at first, as if silence and ignorance would save them from the fury I was about to ensue.
Finally, Warden Carmella answered, “No, Your Highness, I am afraid we are unaware.”
“Well,” I said, chuckling as I patted his shoulder from my place on his right. He remained silent and still, but in his mind, he raced through potential reasons for my actions. My head pounded with the exertion of using my magic, but I noticed it was getting better. Significantly so. As if, just maybe, I would be able to fight off Mia soon. “He traveled all of the Mortal Realm. Is that not impressive? Even more extraordinary was what he learned. Sterling, tell them about what you were taught in Heratt.”
That was when my plan clicked in the mortal prince’s mind. He nodded, a smirk stretching up his face.
